EP1392575B1

EP1392575B1 - Tamper-evident device

Info

Publication number: EP1392575B1
Application number: EP02735580A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David William Thomson; Egidio Global Cap Mezzadra
Original assignee: Daniel Montgomery and Son Ltd
Current assignee: Guala Closures UK Ltd
Priority date: 2001-05-25
Filing date: 2002-05-22
Publication date: 2005-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-22
Also published as: ES2249582T3; DE60206374C5; DE60206374D1; WO2002096771A1; BR0210018A; PL199890B1; MXPA03010696A; GB0211569D0; EA005536B1; PL367335A1; GB2377699A; CN1270941C; DE60206374T2; EA200301298A1; BR0210018B1; EP1392575A1; GB0112726D0; CN1524053A; GB2377699B; US6908013B2

Abstract

There is disclosed a tamper-evident device for a closure assembly adapted to be applied to a mouth of a container, for example, a neck of a bottle. There has been identified a need for an improved tamper-evident device which does not have any parts which are removed upon initial opening and which are liable to be reattached by counterfeits or the like. Accordingly the present invention provides a tamper-evident device comprising a sleeve member which comprises a first portion associated with a second portion by a frangible portion therebetween, and wherein said first portion is adapted to be applied to a mouth and neck portion of a container, and said second portion is associated with a container closure member, and wherein an initial container opening operation causes said frangible portion to fracture or break such that when the container is reclosed said first and second portions are located in a spaced apart relationship to one another.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tamper-evident device or a closure assembly adapted to be applied to a mouth of a container, for example, a neck of a bottle. The invention particularly, though not exclusively, relates to a tamper-evident non-refillable snap-on fitment.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

For various reasons, it may be desirable to ensure that a used container, such as a bottle intended to contain a liquid (e.g. spirits such as alcoholic beverages), is not re-filled with a replacement quantity of another liquid, the characteristics and quality of which may differ from the original contents. Attempts to provide closures which make such re-filling difficult are not always proof against determined tampering. While it is considered advantageous to provide a tamper-indicating means which provides evidence that the bottle and its original contents are intact, if the bottle is resealed with a substitute cap or closure, there may be little to indicate to a purchaser that the bottle has been tampered with and that the contents may be inferior to the original contents.

It has, therefore, been found desirable to provide a closure which cannot be removed without an extreme level of effort, or breakage being caused to the bottle. Such an arrangement is shown, for example, in EP-A-0 847 930 and in GB Patent No 2 274 837 also by the present Applicant, selected merely by way of illustration.

Whilst it is very important that an original closure cannot be removed without visible damage or breakage being caused either to the closure and/or to the bottle, it has been found that a closure that cannot readily be removed will become the target of attempts to re-fill the container by overcoming the feature provided in the closure intended to hinder or prevent such refilling. Therefore, in addition to providing devices to prevent re-filling of bottles, there is a need to provide such devices with further tamper-indicating features which, while not acting in any preventive role, give a clear irremovable and/or irreversible indication that a bottle has been opened since being originally filled with the genuine contents. Such clear indicators have been somewhat lacking in previous closure designs.

Furthermore, there is a need for simple designs of closure assemblies allowing easy and reliable manufacture, assembly and fitting to bottle necks. Such simplicity has been somewhat lacking in previous closure designs.

It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved tamper-evident device which does not have any parts which are removed upon initial opening and which are liable to be reattached by counterfeiters or the like.

It is also an object of a least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or at least mitigate at least one of the aforementioned problems/disadvantages in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of.the present invention there is provided a tamper-evident device comprising a sleeve member which comprises a first portion associated with a second portion by means of a frangible portion therebetween, wherein said first portion is adapted to be applied to a mouth and neck portion of a container, and said second portion is associated with a container closure member, and wherein an initial container opening operation causes said frangible portion to fracture or break such that when the container is reclosed said first and second portions are located in a spaced apart relationship to one another.

The Applicant has named the device of the invention the "ALUsnap" (Trade Mark) tamper-evident device.

Preferably the frangible portion is provided adjacent respective circumferential edges of the first and second portions.

Either or both of the respective circumferential edges may retract or recoil away from the other during a container opening operation when the frangible portion fractures or breaks.

The retraction or recoil is preferably accompanied by a concomitant circumferential contraction of at least one of the edges inwardly of the respective first or second portion to provide at least one edge having a smaller circumference or diameter than an adjacent portion of the respective first or second portion.

The retraction or recoil movement is important as it advantageously results in a permanent deformation of the first and/or second portions such that when the container is reclosed the circumferential edges do not abut together thus revealing a void or gap located between the first and second portions. This visual indicator evidences that the container (and tamper-evident device) has been opened.

Preferably, the container closure member includes a circumferential groove, which may further provide a circumferential lip portion located below and adjacent to the circumferential groove.

Preferably, during an initial container opening operation, the first circumferential edge recoils/retracts and circumferentially contracts into the circumferential groove to become positioned circumferentially behind the circumferential lip. This action positions the circumferential lip between the first and second circumferential edges in an obstructive manner such that when the container is reclosed by re-applying the closure member, the first and second portions of the first sleeve member are spaced apart by the circumferential lip portion located therebetween..

The frangible portion is generally located in a further circumferential groove provided between or adjacent the first and second portions of the sleeve member.

Preferably the frangible portion is located substantially at an apex or base of the further circumferential groove.

The frangible portion may be provided as a continuous weakened portion such as a circumferential scored line or alternatively the frangible portion may comprise intermittent shearable links which join the first portion to the second portion or a combination of these.

The edge of the first portion may provide a circumferential first beaded portion on the first portion, and in a same manner the edge of the second portion may provide a circumferential second beaded portion on the portion.

The first sleeve member may comprise any suitable material, and preferably this material comprises a metal, or metallic based material.

Preferably the metal or metallic based material substantially comprises aluminium, or an alloy thereof, particularly rolled aluminium.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, when the first sleeve member comprises rolled aluminium, the retraction, recoil and/or contraction on breakage of the frangible portion is believed to be due to release of a tension introduced into the aluminium during forming of the sleeve member.

Also, advantageously, aluminium provides a good medium for application of printing dyes, inks, paints or the like such that messages, logos, images, names, and other information may be carried by the sleeve member.

The container closure member may be a cap which desirably includes a threaded portion which allows a rotational movement of the cap during a container opening operation.

The tamper-evident device may include a pouring outlet device adapted to be secured to the mouth of a container for liquid, the container closure member may be a cap adapted to close an outlet of the pouring outlet device, and the sleeve member may be adapted to receive at least part of the pouring outlet device.

Preferably the second portion of the sleeve member is adapted to receive at least part of the cap.

The cap is generally received in a tight interference fit to the second portion, but may be optionally rotatable with respect to the second portion of the sleeve member upon application of sufficient force.

The pouring outlet device is desirably a non-refillable and/or a non-removable device.

Desirably the pouring outlet device comprises a further sleeve member which is adapted to lie around the mouth and neck portion of the container, and further comprises a valve seat body which is at least partially receivable within at least part of the neck portion of the container, and wherein the valve seat body is at least partially surrounded by the further sleeve member.

At least the first portion of the sleeve member is preferably adapted to receive at least part of the further sleeve member, preferably in a tight interference fit but optionally rotatable with respect to the further sleeve member upon application of sufficient force.

Preferably the further circumferential groove of the sleeve member is located within the circumferential groove provided on the container closure member (cap). This positioning ensures that when the container is opened by twisting the cap, and fracturing or breaking the shearable links, the edge of the second portion of the sleeve member remains within the groove provided on the cap, and the edge of the first portion of the sleeve member progressively moves out of the groove provided on the cap as the cap is removed away from the pouring outlet device and the first portion. On removing the contact between the cap and the first portion of the first sleeve member, the first edge retracts to cause a contraction of circumference such that the resulting circumference is less than that of a cap portion which is located below the groove therein. This cap portion is preferably provided as the circumferential lip on the cap.

When the cap is re-applied to the pouring outlet device, a stop position is reached when the circumferential lip of the cap rests or sits upon the edge of the first portion of the sleeve member, thus preventing the cap being returned to its original starting position. A gap or void remains between the first and second portions of the sleeve member thus exposing the circumferential portion of the cap, which includes the circumferential lip which was originally encased or enclosed within the first sleeve member. A void may also exist between a lower edge of the cap and a cap seating surface of the device.

Advantageously the exposed circumferential portion of the cap may be distinctly coloured and/or printed with information, promotional messages or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container including a tamper-evident device according to the first aspect.

The container is preferably a container for liquid.

The container is preferably a bottle.

The container may be a glass bottle, and may be adapted for containment of liquid, such as alcoholic drinks or beverages, e.g. spirits such as vodka, whisky, brandy, gin or the like.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of a container and a tamper-evident device according to the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an alcoholic drinks product comprising an alcoholic substance packaged in the combination according to the third aspect.

The tamper-evident device so formed may comprise a unitary assembly for snap-on application to a mouth and neck portion of a container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are:

Figure 1(a): a partially cut-away side view of a tamper-evident device according to a first embodiment of the present invention prior to initial opening including a pouring outlet device and in combination with a bottle neck shown in phantom lines;
Figure 1(b): an enlarged view of the circled part of the tamper-evident device of Figure 1;
Figure 2: a partially cut-away side view of the tamper-evident device of Figure 1(a) in use with a closure member thereof removed;
Figure 3(a): a partially cut-away side view of the tamper-evident device of Figure 1(a) with the closure member re-applied;
Figure 3(b): an enlarged view of the circled part of the tamper-evident device of Figure 3(a);
Figure 4: an exploded perspective view of the tamper-evident device of Figure 1 including a pouring outlet device and in combination with a bottle having a mouth and neck;
Figure 5(a): a partially cut-away side view of a tamper-evident device according to a second embodiment of the present invention including a pouring outlet device and in combination with a bottle neck shown in phantom lines
Figure 5(b): an enlarged view of the circled cut-away view of Figure 5(a);
Figure 6: a partially cut-away view of the tamper-evident device of Figure 5(a) in use with a closure member thereof removed;
Figure 7(a): a partially cut-away side view of the tamper-evident device of Figure 5(a) with the closure member re-applied;
Figure 7(b): an enlarged view of the circled part of the tamper-evident device of Figure 7(a);
Figure 8: a cross-sectional view a tamper-evident device according to a third embodiment of the present invention during initial steps of manufacture;
Figure 9: a cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident device of Figure 8 during an intermediate step of manufacture; and
Figure 10: a cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident device of Figure 8 after manufacture and prior to initial opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

With reference initially to Figure 1(a), there is illustrated a tamper-evident device, generally designated by reference numeral 1, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The device 1 comprises a sleeve member 5 which comprises a first portion 10 associated with a second portion 15 by means of a frangible portion 20 therebetween. The sleeve member 5 has a closed distal end and an open proximal end. The first portion 10 is adapted to receive a further sleeve member or securing means 30 which is part of a pouring outlet device 25 which in this embodiment is a non-refillable and non-removable device. A lower section of the further sleeve member 30 fits within the first portion 10 in a tight interference fit but rotatable with respect to the first portion 10.

The second portion 15 is associated with a container closure member, shown as cap 35, which is received within the second portion 15 in a tight interference fit but rotatable with respect to the second portion 15.

Referring to Figure 1(b), the first portion 10 of the sleeve member 5 is shown associated with the second portion 15 of the first sleeve member 5 by means of the frangible portion 20. The first and

second portions

10, 15 are in a close interference fit with the further sleeve member 30 and the cap 35, respectively.

The frangible portion 20 is located within groove 40 on the sleeve member 5, which is provided between the first and

second portions

10,15. Groove 40 is shown located within a further groove 60 provided on cap 35. Also shown is a threaded portion 45 on cap 35 which engages with a corresponding threaded portion 50 provided on the pouring outlet device 25.

In use, the cap 35 is rotated (normally anti-clockwise) in an initial container opening operation which causes the frangible portion 20 to break as described below.

Referring to Figure 2, the cap 35 and second portion 15 associated therewith are shown in a removed or open position away from the pouring outlet device 25 which clearly shows the first portion 10 still associated with the further sleeve 30.

Referring to Figure 3(a), the cap 35 and second portion 15 associated therewith are shown re-applied or reclosed to pouring outlet device 25, and the first and

second portions

10,15 respectively are clearly shown in a spaced apart relationship to one another due to the appearance of gap 55.

Referring to Figure 3(b), there is shown further groove 60 provided on cap 35 and an edge 80 of the second portion 15 remaining within groove 60. An edge 75 of first portion 10 is shown in a circumferentially contracted state having moved out of groove 60 upon removal of cap 35 from pouring outlet device 25. A portion of the cap 35 which is located below groove 60, shown as lip 65, rests upon the edge 75 of the first portion 10 resulting in a void 70 which remains between a lower edge 85 of cap 35 and a cap seating surface 90 of second sleeve member 30. Lip 65 is clearly visible to an observer as it is positioned in gap 55 between the first and

second portions

10,15.

In this embodiment the first sleeve member 5 is made from rolled aluminium, and the frangible portion 20 is formed from nine shearable links (not shown) which shear on relative twisting of the cap 35 (and associated second portion 15) and the pouring outlet device 25 (and associated first portion 10).

Furthermore the aluminium sleeve 5 may be coated with inks, paint or the like, and may be further provided with printed matter and advantageously good reproducibility of colours is obtained when using coloured printed matter.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown an exploded perspective view of tamper-evident device 1 comprising sleeve member 5, cap 35, pouring outlet device 25. Also shown is a mouth and neck portion 4 of a container or bottle 3.

The pouring outlet device 25 comprises further sleeve member 30 having

apertures

27a, 27b and 27c (27c not shown) with projection means 33a, 33b and 33c (33c not shown) located on lower edges of the

apertures

27a, 27b and 27c, respectively. The further sleeve member 30 has a pouring lip 34, inner surface ribs 37 and a thread portion 50.

The projection means 33a, 33b and 33c are movable radially of the further sleeve member 30 in a stiffly resilient manner, and are resiliently engagable with an outer lip portion of the container 3, which in this embodiment is shown as shoulder 6 of the neck portion 4.

In this embodiment twenty-four ribs 37 are formed and arranged circumferentially on an inner surface of the second sleeve member 30. When the pouring outlet device 25 is applied to bottle neck 4, in use, these ribs 37 co-act with raised ridges 7 on the outer surface of the neck 4 portion to help prevent undesired rotational movement of the further sleeve member 30. Some minor rotational play in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction may occur until a stop position is found by a rib or ribs 37 acting against a raised ridge or ridges 7. However, continued application of force will cause the first portion 10 and/or second portion 15, to rotate relative to the further sleeve member 30 and/or cap 35, respectively.

A valve seat body 42 and a valve member 44 are also shown. A tubular portion 43 of the valve seat body 42 is adapted to be received within the mouth portion 6 of the bottle.

The first portion 10 and second portion 15 of the first sleeve member 5 are attached by a frangible portion 20 which breaks and allows the cap 35 to be removed with the second portion 15 when it is twisted away from the pouring outlet device 25 by a user in an opening operation.

The sleeve member 5, cap 35 and pouring outlet device 25 are conveniently assembled to give a single unit ready for simple application to a bottle neck, thus enhancing the efficiency of manufacture, bottle filling and assembly process. The valve seat body 42 is held in association with the further sleeve member 30 by resilient rib 91 on the valve seat body 42 co-acting with inner facing detect means carried within the further sleeve member 30, e.g. an annular rib - not shown.

Typically, the bottle 3 is made from glass or alternatively a plastics material, the first sleeve member 5 from aluminium, the cap 35 from low density polyethylene, the further sleeve member 30 from a stiffly resilient plastics material such as polypropylene or polystyrene (and which in this embodiment is a polystyrene obtainable under the trade name, Styrolux), the valve member 44 from crystal polystyrene, and the valve seat body 42 from low density polyethylene.

A non-return valve is formed from the valve seat body 42 and valve member 44 which is closed in a normally upright position of the bottle 3, which while allowing liquids to flow from the bottle 3 in a pouring operation, restricts in-flow of liquid into the bottle 3 by rudimentary unauthorised filling operations or even more sophisticated methods which may involve insertion of objects, tubes or the like into a mouth of the bottle.

Referring now to Figure 5(a), there is shown a tamper-evident device, generally designated 101, according to second embodiment of the present invention. The device 101 is similar in many respects to the device 1 of the first embodiment, like parts being identified by like numerals but increased by 100.

Device 101 comprises a first sleeve member 105 having a first portion 110 and a second portion 115 associated by means of a frangible portion 120.

Figure 5(b) clearly shows a first beaded portion 130 provided on the first portion 110 and a second beaded portion 135 provided on the second portion 115.

Referring to Figure 6, in the same manner as described hereinbefore regarding the first embodiment, cap 135 and associated second portion 115 may be removed by twisting away from the pouring outlet device 125 and first portion 110 associated therewith.

Referring to Figure 7(a), cap 35 and second portion 115 are shown reapplied (reclosed) to the pouring outlet device 125 and a gap 140 remains between the first and

second portions

110 and 115.

Referring now to Figure 7(b), in the same manner as hereinbefore described regarding the first embodiment, edge 150 remains in groove 160 of cap 135, and lip 165 rests, upon edge 145 of the first beaded portion 130 of the first portion 110, resulting in void 155 formed between lower edge 185 of cap 135 and the cap seating surface 190.

Referring finally to Figures 8, 9 and 10, there are illustrated sequential steps in a method of manufacturing a tamper-evident device 201. The device 201 may be the same as or similar to the device 1 or the device 101 of the first or second embodiments, respectively, like parts being identified by like numerals but increased by 100 or 200, respectively.

The method comprises:

(a) providing sleeve member 205;

(b) providing pouring outlet device 225 comprising further sleeve member 230 adapted to be secured to a mouth and neck portion of a bottle (not shown), and container closure member 233 releasably securable to further sleeve member 230 (see Figure 8);

(c) disposing the pouring outlet device 225 within the sleeve member 205 (see Figure 9); and

(d) forming substantially circumferential frangible portion 220 around sleeve member 205 (see Figure 10).

Further, either before or after step (d), but preferably substantially simultaneously with step (d) the method further comprises:

(e) forming an annular lip 297 at an open end 298 of the sleeve member 205 so as to entrap the pouring outlet device 225 within the sleeve member 205.

It will be appreciated that other end 299 of the sleeve member 205 is closed.

The frangible portion 220 and annular lip 297 may be formed using respective blades on a machine tool.

It will be understood that modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example, the

sleeve member

5, 105, 205 may be applied to various different designs of pouring outlet device adapted to be applied to a variety of containers including bottles.

In a modification, for example, the second portion 15,115 and/or the first portion 10,110 may include knurred surfaces to assist in gripping in opening and reopening of the device 1,101.

It will further appreciated that the present invention provides a particularly desirable one piece snap on fitment have functional advantages over the prior art as well as enhanced aesthetic appeal.

Claims

A tamper evident device suitable to be used in a closure for containers of liquids, particularly bottles having a mouth situated at the end of a neck which extends longitudinally from the container comprising a sleeve member (5) which comprises a first portion (10) which, prior to initial opening of the closure, is associated with a second portion (15) by a frangible portion (20) which is caused to fracture or break by an initial container opening operation, securing means (30) for securing the first portion (10) to the mouth of the neck of the container (3) and a container closure member (35) with which the second portion (15) is associated, said first portion (10) and second portion (15) being provided with a respective circumferential edge (75, 80) adjacent to said frangible portion (20) and said container closure member (35) being provided with a circumferential lip (65), characterized by the fact that, prior to an initial container opening operation, the circumferential edge (75) of said first portion (10) is disposed longitudinally between the circumferential edge (80) of said second portion (15) and the circumferential lip (65) of said container closure member (35) and by the fact that, upon reclosure of the container, the circumferential lip (65) of the container closure member (35) is disposed longitudinally between the circumferential edge (75) of the first portion and the circumferential edge (80) of the second portion (15) such that said circumferential edges (75, 80) are then disposed in a spaced apart relationship to one another.
A tamper evident device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing means (30) comprises a further sleeve member (30) adapted to lie around the mouth and neck of the container (3).
A tamper evident device according to claim 2, wherein the securing means (30) also comprises an annular lip provided at an open end of the first portion (10) distal from the mouth of the container.
A tamper evident device according to claims 1 to 3 wherein the first portion (10) is disposed circumferentially outwardly of the further sleeve member (30) and is a substantially tight fit therewith but rotatable with respect thereto upon application of sufficient force, and wherein, in use, the first portion (10) remains on the further sleeve member (30) when the container closure member (35) is removed.
A tamper evident device according to claims 1 to 4 wherein the further sleeve member (30) includes means (37) for fixing the further sleeve member (30) to the container (3) said fixing means comprising first means for fixing the further sleeve member on the container so as to restrain rotational movements of the further sleeve (30) with respect to the neck (4) of the container, and the fixing means comprises second means (33a, 33b, 33c, 6) for fixing the further sleeve (30) on the container (3) so as to restrict longitudinal movement of the further sleeve member with respect to the mouth of the container.
A tamper evident device according to claims 1 to 5 wherein the second portion (15) is disposed circumferentially outwardly of the container closure member (35) and is a substantially tight fit therewith but rotatable with respect thereto upon the application of sufficient force.
A tamper evident device according to claim 1 to 6, wherein the frangible portion (20) is provided
between the initially adjacent circumferential edges (75, 80) of the first (10) and second (15) portions.
A tamper evident device according to claims 1 to 7, wherein either or both of the circumferential edges (75, 80) retracts or recoils away from the other during an initial container opening operation when the frangible portion (20) fractures or breaks.
A tamper evident device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the retraction or recoil is accompanied by a concomitant circumferential contraction of at least one of the circumferential edges (75, 80) inwardly of the respective first or second portion to provide at least one circumferential edge having a smaller circumference or diameter than an adjacent portion of the respective first or second portion.
A tamper evident device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the retraction or recoil results in a permanent deformation of the first and/or second portions, and when the container is reclosed the circumferential edges (75, 80) do not abut together thus revealing a void or gap located between the first (10) and the second (15) portions such visual indicator evidencing that the tamper evident device has been opened.
A tamper evident device as claimed in claims 1 to 10, wherein the device comprises non-refillable means (25, 30).
A tamper evident device according to claims 1 to 11 wherein the container closure member (35)
includes a circumferential groove (60), the circumferential lip (65) being located below and adjacent to the circumferential groove.
A tamper evident device as claimed in claims 1 to 12, wherein, during an initial container opening operation, the circumferential edge (75) of the second portion (15) recoils or retracts and circumferentially contracts into the circumferential groove (60) to become positioned circumferentially behind the circumferential lip (65).
A tamper evident device as claimed in claims 1 to 13, wherein, prior to initial opening of the container, the frangible portion (20) is located in a further circumferential groove (40) provided between or adjacent the first (10) and second (15) portions of the sleeve member.
A tamper evident device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the frangible portion (20) is located substantially at the apex or base of the further circumferential groove (40).
A tamper evident device according to claims 1 to 15, wherein the frangible portion (20) is selected from one of or a combination of a continuous weakened portion, a circumferential scored line or a plurality of intermittent shearable links which join the first portion (10) to the second portion (15).
A tamper evident device according to claims 1 to 16, wherein the circumferential edge of the first portion (110) provides a circumferential first beaded portion (130) on the first portion (110) and the circumferential edge of the second portion (115) provides a circumferential second beaded portion (135) on the second portion.
A tamper evident device as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the sleeve member substantially comprises a metal or metallic based material.
A tamper evident device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the metal or metallic based material substantially comprises aluminium.
A tamper evident device as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the container closure member is a cap (35) including a threaded portion allowing a rotational movement of the cap during the container opening and closing operations.